I want to start off first with some transfer news. After his excellent performance in the African Cup of Nations and winning keeper of the tournament for the second time in a row, reports are now linking the Egyptain Esam El-Hadary to us. He is an incredible keeper, and has also been instrumental in Al-Ahly’s great run (see earlier post). He even managed to score a 70 yard goal in the African Champions League! He would have been a perfect signing …. 7 or 8 years ago! Although he still performing at his peak, he is 35, and that peak doesn’t have much more left in my opinion. Unless he costs something like 100,000 and is happy to be our backup keeper, then this makes absolutely no sense.

Yesterday, Milan played Livorno in a game that ended 1-1, and more significantly, ended Ronaldo’s season with what seems to be a very serious knee injury. Apparently even Livorno’s keeper heard his knee pop and he was left in tears as he was stretched off. I’d like to say this is good news, but no serious long term injury is good news. Let’s just say I hope he recovers on March 5th and not a day sooner.

Speaking of Milan, we just replaced them as the 5th highest-earning clubs of 2007. According to Deloitte, the new table has four English teams in the top 10, which was the case last year, but all 4 have risen up the table.

1 (1) Real Madrid £236.2m
2 (4) Manchester United £212.1m
3 (2) Barcelona £195.3m
4 (6) Chelsea £190.5m
5 (9) Arsenal £177.6m
6 (5) Milan £153.0m
7 (8) Bayern Munich £150.3m
8 (10) Liverpool £133.9m
9 (7) Internazionale £131.3m
10 (12) Roma £106.1m

It won’t be long till the top 3 will be taken over by English teams replacing the Spanish duo who have traditionally been top two. One interesting point is that Barcelona has slipped to 3rd from 2nd, which looks bad for them. There is, though, one point that is forgotten here, and that is Barcelona’s sponsorship money. While teams like ManU are making more than £14.1 million a year, Barcelona, on the other hand, are actually donating money through their sponsorship with UNICEF. They are donating a minimum of €1.5 million a year and are spreading the name and message of UNICEF globally.

While English teams are planning a 39th game worldwide to guarantee more income, you have a team like Barcelona using the strength and power of football and its name to try and make a difference in the world. I’m happy we’re climbing up the money tables, but it also saddens me seeing others doing good and keeping the soul and conscience of football alive and not us.